Recreational bath chair

ABSTRACT

A bath chair designed for comfort has a backrest tensioned to incline with resilience when leaned against. A seat is preferably formed by a bench that places the seat height somewhat above the upper side edges of the tub. Installation and removal are facilitated by a two-piece design comprising a backrest that slides into engagement with a bench. Optionally, the bench is hinged to a wall adjacent the tub, whereby the bench can be pivoted up against the wall for storage. Preferably, the backrest can be folded for storage. A container can be used to store the backrest in a tasteful manner. According to a further concept, two persons can relax in one bathtub with one person sitting in a bath chair adjacent one end while the other reclines at the opposite end.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a chair designed for use in a bathtub, especially a bathtub with a shower.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous bath chairs have been designed to serve the needs of the elderly or infirm. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,542 describes a bath chair adapted for installation in a bath tub. The chair swivels and slides to the edge of the tub. After the user sits in the chair, the user can swivel and slide the chair back to the center of the tub while the users legs are lifted over the side. Other offset swivel bath chairs include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,750,563, 6,094,796, and 6,240,577 and U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2004/0121095. Some of these bath chairs have backrests that can be inclined, although the emphasis in each case is on utility. U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,251 describes a simple bath bench that hinges down. The unit is described as functional, easy to clean, and useful for individuals having limited mobility.

There are also devices designed to enhance the comfort of healthy persons lounging in tubs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 360,256 shows a bath recliner that appears to provide padding for a user sitting near the bottom rear of a tub. U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,337 also shows a device that adds comfort to a person lounging near the back bottom of a tub.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem solved by the inventor is to make showering a more enjoyable and comfortably prolonged experience. The first step in solving this problem was realizing that it would be desirable to sit. While prior art bath chairs are provided for this purpose, prior art chairs are generally designed for the elderly or handicapped. They are primarily utilitarian and are not particularly comfortable. Some luxury articles described as bath chairs are also available, but these are generally for lounging under water, as oppose to sitting.

One of the inventor's concepts is a bath chair comprising a back and a seat. Preferably, the seat comprises a bench member configured to rest on a tub's upper side edges, thereby establishing a comfortable sitting height. The back is tensioned or tensionable whereby the back is configured or configurable to incline with resilience when leaned against. The springy resistance of a tensioned back was found to add greatly to the comfort of a bath chair.

Another problem solved by the inventor is convenient installation and removal of the bath chair, which is of greater concern for the recreational user. A first of the inventor's concepts for solving this problem is a two-piece bath chair comprising a cross member that spans the width of the tub and a backrest portion that slides into engagement with the cross member. The backrest member slides into engagement with the cross member in a direction along the length of the tub. Preferably the backrest member can be slid in from either side, making the back reversible. When removed, preferably the backrest member can be folded for easy storage. When attached, the backrest member can be articulated to adjust the angle at which the back inclines. Preferably the back is tensioned.

A second of the inventor's concepts for solving the storage and removal problem is to attach the cross member to a wall adjacent the tub in a manner that provides a hinging engagement, whereby the cross member can be pivoted up and stored against the wall. A third of the inventor's concepts for solving the storage and removal problem is to provide a container for storing at least the back member. The container is provided with aesthetic qualities sufficient from the perspective of an ordinary homemaker to allow the container a permanent station in a bathroom in open view.

A further concept of the inventor relates to a method by which two adults can comfortably use a conventional bathtub at the same time. According to this method, a bath chair is installed in the tub adjacent one end, preferably an end having faucets, the bath chair having a back facing that end. One person sits in that chair while the other persons lounges at the opposite end of the tub, typically with feet extending beneath the chair. By this method, two people can comfortably relax in a bathtub for extended periods of time.

The primary purpose of this summary has been to present certain of the inventor's concepts in a simplified form to facilitate understanding of the more detailed description that follows. This summary is not a comprehensive description of every one of the inventor's concepts or every combination of the inventor's concepts that can be considered “invention”. Other concepts of the inventor will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description and annexed drawings. The concepts disclosed herein may be generalized, narrowed, and combined in various ways with the ultimate statement of what the inventor claims as his invention being reserved for the claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view illustration of a bath chair as conceived by the inventor and installed with a first orientation in a shower stall;

FIG. 2 is a back view of the bath chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the bath chair of FIG. 1 showing the movement of the backrest under tension;

FIG. 3 a is a expanded view from FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a cutaway view showing the tensioning mechanism of the back member of the bath chair of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view showing a selective backrest angle locking mechanism for the backrest member of the bath chair of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an oblique view of the back member of the bath chair of FIG. 1

FIG. 7 illustrates the bath chair of FIG. 1 in a second orientation suitable for showering.

FIG. 8 illustrates method by which the inventor conceive two adults comfortably sharing a bathtub.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative bench design conceived by the inventor for use with a back member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 8 illustrate an exemplary bath chair 10 incorporating several of the inventor's concepts. The bath chair 10 has a seat provided by a bench 11 and a seat cushion 13, and a backrest 14 provided by a back member 12. The bath chair 10 is designed for use in a standard tub, preferably within a shower enclosure.

In the United States, a standard tub is 4 to 6 feet long (outer dimension), with a five foot length being the most common. Standard outside widths are 30 inches, 32 inches, and 36 inches. The upper edges typically have a minimum width from about 3 to about 6 inches. A portion of the upper edge on the wall side its typically covered by wallboard 105 and/or tile. A portion of the upper edge on the opposite side may be occupied by the rail for a shower door 106. Inner dimension widths are typically from about 24 to about 30″.

The bath chair 10 is supported in a stable manner within the tub 100, whereby the chair 10 does not slip . An exemplary support mechanism used by the bath chair 10 is a bench 11 that rests on the upper side edges 102 of the tub 100. Other examples of support mechanisms include legs that rest on the bottom of the tub or on a floor beside the tub, optionally with some legs in and some legs out. Support can also be provided by legs or arms that engage the inner sides of the tub. Supporting structures can be designed to that frictionally engage plastic, fiberglass, and/or ceramic surfaces. Suction cups can also provide engagement. Suction cups can be small or large and can be provided singly or in clusters. Fixtures that attach to adjacent walls can also be used, although preferably the bath chair 10 can be installed without marring or altering either the tub 100 or the tub surround.

The bench member 11 is designed to span the width of the tub 100 and rest on the upper side edges 102. The bench member 11 is provided with blocks or braces 19 that slide within tracks on the bench member 11, whereby the braces 19 can be moved to where they press against the inner side edges 103 of the tub 100. Once slid against the inner side edges 103, the braces 19 can be held in place by screws 20. The bench member 11 is thereby secured against the tub's inner sides 103 as well as being supported by the upper edges 102 of the tub 100. The bench member 11 can be constructed from any suitable material, including for example wood or plastic.

The bath chair 10 preferably includes a backrest 14. The backrest 14 provides back support and can have any shape or size appropriate for a chair-back. Generally, it is sufficient if backrest 14 rises to a typical user's mid-back, although higher backs can be used. Preferably, the height of the backrest 14 is adjustable by the user.

The backrest 14 is preferably reclining. Reclining refers to the ability to tilt relative to the vertical. In general, a chair can recline with the angle between the back and the seat either fixed, whereby the seat moves with the back, or varying whereby the backrest can move independently. For the bath chair 10, the angle varies.

The bath chair 10 has a back member comprising two parts, the backrest member 14 and a supporting member 15. The supporting member 15 attaches to the bench 11. The backrest 14 pivots about the shaft 18 attached to the supporting member 15. This pivoting action allows the backrest 14 to recline. Any other suitable mechanism can alternatively be used to allow the backrest 14 to recline.

Optionally, the bath chair 10 can be provided with a mechanism that allows the angle of incline to be temporarily locked, whereby the angle of inclination of the backrest 14 can be either variable or fixed relative to its support. Any suitable apparatus can be used to provide such variable locking. As shown in FIG. 5, the bath chair 10 has a gear 26 and spring-loaded pin 25. The gear 26 is attached to the backrest portion 14 while the spring-loaded pin 25 is attached to the supporting member 15. When the pin 25 is withdrawn and turned, the pin 25 is locked into a withdrawn position and the backrest portion 31 can move relative to the supporting member 32. The pin 25 can then be twisted until a block 27 on the pin 25 aligns with a slot 28 in the housing of the supporting member 15. With the block 27 and the slot 28 aligned, the pin 25 moves under the action of the spring 30 to engage the gear 26, fixing the position of the backrest 14 relative to the supporting member 15.

One of the inventor's concepts is to provide a tensioned backrest. Tensioning refers to the backrest's resiliency. A tensioned backrest reclines further with increasing backward pressure and returns toward the vertical as the pressure is relieved. Any suitable mechanism can be used to provide the tension. The tension can be provided hydraulically, or with one or more springs. The force of the springs can be transmitted to the backrest with any combination of gears, cams, rods, and levers. Springs can be arranged to provide tension by either resisting compression or resisting extension. The tensioning mechanism can be mounted in any suitable fashion. For the bath chair 10, the tensioning mechanism 21 is preferably mounted to the supporting member 15, although optionally it could be mounted to the bench member 11.

Preferably, the amount of tension can be varied to account for the user's preferences or weight. Tension can be varied by any suitable mechanism, including for example adjusting a bias force on the springs, adjusting the length of the linkage between the springs and the back, adjusting the leverage or a gear ratio between the springs and back, adjusting the winding on a spring, engaging or disengaging one or more springs or replacing a spring with a different one.

The tensioning mechanism 21 engages the backrest 14 to provide tension thereto. Optionally, the backrest 14 can be selectively disengaged from the tensioning mechanism 21. Being able to engage and disengage the tensioning mechanism 21 facilitates folding of the backrest 14 for convenient storage. Any suitable mechanism can be used to engage and disengage the tensioning mechanism 21. Examples of suitable mechanisms, include pins, clips screws, and other interlocking structures.

The bath chair 10 has a spring loaded catch 23 attached to the backrest 14. The catch 22 is designed to engage a rod 23 attached to the tensioning mechanism 21. When the catch 22 is engaged to the rod 23, tension is transmitted to the backrest 14. The catch 22 can be disengaged by pulling on handle 24. When the catch 22 is disengaged, the backrest 14 can be freely folded forward.

In general, a backrest can be permanently attached to a bench or seat, however, one of the inventor's concepts involves providing a backrest as part of a separate component that slidingly engages a bench or seat member. The preferred direction of engagement is back-to-front (or visa-a-versa) with respect to the chair or tub. This two piece design can facilitate installation, storage, and reversing the orientation of the backrest relative to the seat, bench, or tub.

A sliding engagement generally involves one or more rails on one part and one or more corresponding tracks on the other part. The back member 14 has rails 17 designed to engage tracks 16 on the bench 11. A spring loaded button (not shown) or other suitable releasable connection can be used to fix the relative positions of the cooperating members once they have been slid together.

The bench 11 is preferably from about 12 to about 18″ deep. In one embodiment, two benches can be placed side-by-side to provide a deeper bench. A deeper bench may be useful for sitting cross-legged. Generally, the entire upper edges 102 of the tub 100 are not available and the length of the bench 11 is preferably selected accordingly. The bench 11 is preferably from about 2 to about 4″ greater than the inner width of the tub 100. The great majority of tubs can be fit by providing benches in two widths, e.g., 26″ and 30″.

As shown in the example, the bath chair 10 preferably comprises a cushion 13. The cushion 13 preferably includes a waterproof cover. The thickness is typically from about ½″ to about 6″ thick. The cushion 13 can contain springs and/or a springy filler material. Examples of springy filler materials include polymer foams, feathers, and cotton.

The cushion 13 can be held in place in any suitable fashion. Optionally, the cushion 13 simply rests on the bench 11. The bench 11 can be provided with an indentation or ridges within which the cushion 13 seats. Optionally, the cushion 13 and the bench 11 have interlocking members, such as pins and holes, to prevent sliding.

Preferably, the cushion 13 can easily be removed from or replaced on the bench 11. Removal is convenient for washing and storage. Removal facilitates storing a bench 11 against a wall when the bench is hingingly attached to a wall, as described below. With the cushion removed, the bench 11 can be used for purposes other than sitting. For example, the bench 11 may be useful for watering plants or allowing large objects to drip dry.

The bath chair 10 can have other features to promote comfort and/or convenience. Example of optional features include: arm rests, which can be designed to fold out of the way when not in use; a tray or cup holder, positioned for example to one side of the bench; and a seat belt, which can adapt the chair to use with small children or persons of diminished capacity.

FIG. 9 illustrates a bench 50 that is hingingly attached to a wall 105. The hinge mechanism comprises a track 51 secured to the wall 105, and an engaging member 54, which is part of the bench 50. Preferably, the engaging member 54 can slide back and forth along the track 51, whereby the bench 50 can be repositioned along the length of the tub 100. The main portion of the bench 50 is connected to the engaging member 54 by one or more rods 55. The track 51 preferably has one or more slots 53 that accommodate the rod or rods 55 when the bench 50 is hinged toward the wall 105 from one or more starting positions. A hook 51, clip, or other structure can be set to the wall 105 to lock the bench 50 in an upright and out-of-the-way position when not in use

Another concept of the inventor is to provide a storage container for the chair back and optionally other chair parts. Examples of suitable storage containers include a bag that attaches to a wall hook or towel bar; a rack that attaches to a wall, a wall hook, or a towel bar, and a box. In each case, consideration is preferably given to aesthetic as well as functional considerations. Functional considerations can include one or more of preventing dripping, allowing drying, and space-saving. Aesthetic considerations include neatness as well as external decorative features, such as colors, patterns, designs and textures. Preferably, the aesthetic of any given design make the container suitable in the view of an ordinary homemaker for a permanent station in the open in a bathroom. Such suitability refers to the quality of being decorative, whereby nearly everything sold in a typical home furnishings store would be considered decorative, although not necessarily belonging with a particular decor. On the other hand, an item having a sloppy, dirty, disorderly, or institutional appearance would not be considered decorative.

The storage container is designed to house at least the chair back. The back member 12 is designed to fold to facilitate compact storage in such a container. The storage container may also be designed to house the cushion 13 and/or the bench 11 where these are separate from the chair back. According to one concept of the inventor, however, the bench remains in a tub-enclosure, with the bench stored against a wall.

Most typically, the bath chair 10 is used by healthy persons. For many people, time in the shower or tub is an enjoyable part of every day. For those tired of standing, a bath chair can be useful just for relaxing while taking a shower. FIG. 7 illustrates the bath chair 10 in a position conducive to showering. Some people, particularly during the winter, enjoy the warmth and humidity that is easily created in a bathroom. For these people, a bath chair facilitates an extended stay in the bathroom and is an alternative to soaking.

The bath chair 10 is particularly useful for those practicing reflexology, or otherwise giving particular attention to the feet. Oils can be applied without concern over spilling and with little risk of slipping. Likewise, toenails can be trimmed or painted, and legs can be shaved. Feet can be soaked or a user can simply relax and read in a steam-room atmosphere.

A further use of a bath chair is to facilitate the sharing of a tub by two adults. FIG. 8 illustrates a method in which the bath chair 10 facilitates this sharing. One user sits in the chair at one end of the tub, preferably an end on which faucets are mounted. The chair not only provided comfort at what is normally an uncomfortable end of the tub, but protects either user from accidentally striking the faucets or tub spout. The chair also raises the first user up, creating room for the legs of a second user lying in a conventional reclining position at the opposite end of the tub.

Accordingly, a still further concept of the inventor is a method of adapting a tub to two users, comprising placing a bath chair at an end of the tub adjacent a tub spout, with a back of the chair toward the tub spout, whereby a first person can sit in the chair facing a second person reclining at an opposite end of the tub with the second persons legs extending beneath the first person.

Other concepts of the inventor relate to methods of marketing. One such concept is a method of marketing that suggests, pictures, or describes two people together using a conventional bathtub with a bath chair. A related concept is to market a bath chair in a retail outlet targeting couples or couples activities. Another such concept is a method of marketing that suggests, pictures, or describes persons using a bath chair while engaging in one or more of meditation, reflexology, leg-shaving, toenail-clipping, and self-pampering. A related concept is to market a bath chair in a retail outlet targeting persons interested in one or more of these activities.

The foregoing concepts of marketing can be used to market any bath chair suitable for recreational use. Preferably, however, they are used to market a bath chair comprising a bench or otherwise seating one user about, at, or above the level of the rim of a tub. Another preference is that they market a chair with a reversible back. A further preference is to use these concepts in conjunction with one or more of the inventors other concepts, such as the tensioned backrest or the reclining back that slides into a seat or bench.

Marketing is inclusive of offering an item for sale in a retail outlet, in a catalogue, or on a web site. Marketing is also inclusive of publicizing the availability of an item for sale. A retail outlet is a place where an item is offered for sale to the general public. Examples of retail outlets include stores, fairs, web sites offering items for sale, and mail order houses.

The invention as delineated by the following claims has been shown and/or described in terms of certain concepts, components, and features. While a particular component or feature may have been disclosed herein with respect to only one of several concepts or examples or in both broad and narrow terms, the components or features in their broad or narrow conceptions may be combined with one or more other components or features in their broad or narrow conceptions wherein such a combination would be recognized as logical by one of ordinary skill in the art. Also, this one specification may describe more than one invention and the following claims do not necessarily encompass every concept, aspect, embodiment, or example described herein. 

1. A comfortable bath chair, comprising: a seat; and a back coupled to or configured to couple with the seat; wherein the back is tensioned or tensionable whereby the back is configured or configurable to incline with resilience when leaned against; and the chair is adapted for installation in a bathtub in a manner whereby the chair does not slip within the bathtub.
 2. The bath chair of claim 1, wherein the back reclines while the seat remains fixed relative to the bathtub.
 3. The bath chair of claim 1, further comprising: a tensioning mechanism that can be selectively coupled to the back to provide tension to the back; wherein the back can be decoupled from the tensioning mechanism, whereby the back can freely fold forward.
 4. The bath chair of claim 3, wherein the tensioning mechanism is attached to the seat.
 5. The bath chair of claim 1, further comprising a selective locking mechanism that can be used to selectively fix the angle of incline of the back.
 6. The bath chair of claim 1, wherein the seat is part of a bench member dimensioned to span a width of the bathtub.
 7. The bath chair of claim 6, further comprising a seat cushion attached or attachable to the bench member.
 8. The bath chair of claim 6, wherein the bench member is adapted to rest on the upper edges of the bathtub and press against the inner sides of the bath tub for support after installation.
 9. The bath chair of claim 6, wherein the back is part of a piece that releasably couples the bench member.
 10. The bath chair of claim 9, wherein the back piece and bench member are mutually configured to slidingly engage in an orientation corresponding to movement along the length of the tub when the bench member is installed in the tub.
 11. The bath chair of claim 10, wherein the sliding engagement can be initiated from either side of the bench member, whereby the back piece is reversible.
 12. The bath chair of claim 6, wherein the bench member is configured to hingingly attach to a wall to one side of the tub, whereby the bench member can be hinged up and out of the way when not in use.
 13. The bath chair of claim 9, further comprising: a storage device sized to hold at least the back and the back can be folded to fit within the storage device; and wherein the storage device has aesthetic features that make the device suitable, in the opinion of an ordinary homemaker, for a permanent place in a bathroom in open view.
 14. A bath chair adapted to fit within a conventional bathtub having a length, a width, and upper side edges, the bath chair comprising: a bench member dimensioned to span the width of the bathtub, the bench member being adapted to draw support from the upper side edges of the bathtub; a back rest configured to slide into engagement with the bench member through motion in a direction along the length of the tub; wherein the back rest inclines to a variable degree.
 15. The bath chair of claim 14, wherein the bench member is adapted to hingingly engage a wall adjacent the tub, whereby the bench member can be hinged up and brought proximate the wall when the back rest is not engaged with the bench member.
 16. The bath chair of claim 14, further comprising a seat cushion detachable from the bench member.
 17. The bath chair of claim 14, wherein the back rest is tensioned or tensionable, whereby the back is configured or configurable to incline with resilience when leaned against.
 18. The bath chair of claim 14, wherein the bench member comprises protrusions having an adjustable spacing between them, whereby the protrusions can be positioned to press against the inner sides of the tub to secure the bath chair.
 19. The bath chair of claim 14, wherein the sliding engagement can be initiated from either side of the bench member, whereby the back rest is reversible.
 20. The bath chair of claim 14, wherein the back rest comprises a supporting member that slidingly engages the bench member and a back hingingly connected to the supporting member. 